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Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, has accused politically connected individuals of fueling illegal mining (galamsey), claiming NDC operatives have taken over from their NPP counterparts.



In an interview on JoyNews, he alleged that instead of ending galamsey, some NPP and NDC figures are now collaborating, with NPP operatives supplying equipment while NDC members front the operations.



&#8220;The criminal transition that we saw in 2016 and 2017 has happened again. This time, not only do you see the NDC criminals taking over from the NPP criminals, but you also have the NPP criminals going to the NDC criminals and saying, &#8216;Yes, your party is in power, but I have the equipment, I have the people here already. Come and be at the front of it, take 60% of it, and we will hide behind you with 40%&#8217;,&#8221; he said.



Despite vouching for Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah’s commitment to fighting the menace, Dr. Ashigbey warned that powerful political figures continue to obstruct efforts.



&#8220;We told the minister that the challenge he has to deal with is the politically exposed people who are involved in this… He is being fought by people both within his party and even from outside his party; the NPP as well. The political class is steeped in the middle of this,&#8221; he added.



He also raised concerns about foreign involvement and armed mercenaries protecting illegal miners, calling it a looming national security crisis.



&#8220;With the danger about that, you need to just go back and look at what happened in Liberia, happened in Sierra Leone, and happened with Boko Haram. You get these people providing security, and you are paying them with gold… Eventually, they will see there is money in this and get involved themselves.&#8221;



With the Mahama administration only a few months in office, pressure is mounting for decisive action.

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Galamsey: NDC Criminals Have Taken Over from NPP Criminals – Ken Ashigbey

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AUTHOR: Perpetual Tweneboah Koduah

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